November 16th, 2017
Hackensack University Medical Center Named One of America’s Greenest Hospitals by Becker’s Hospital Review Three Years in a Row.
Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center is pleased to announce that it is has been named one of the 60 greenest hospitals in America by Becker’s Hospital Review. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of two New Jersey hospitals on this year’s list and the only New Jersey hospital to be named to the list for three consecutive years.
“Once again, Hackensack University Medical Center is proud to be recognized as one of the greenest hospitals in the nation,” said Ihor S. Sawczuk, M.D., president of Hackensack University Medical Center. “Hackensack University Medical Center is on the forefront of sustainability, leading the way in innovative partnerships and initiatives that foster a healthier and cleaner environment. As health care professionals, we have a responsibility to promote health and wellness, and environmental responsibility is integral in that effort. By ensuring the buildings we build and the meals we serve are more sustainable, we are creating healthier, safer communities.”
According to Becker’s Hospital Review, Hackensack University Medical Center is widely recognized for its environmental and sustainability efforts, including innovative partnerships with local organizations to increase the purchase of sustainable food. The medical center is committed to providing sustainable meat and poultry by driving antibiotics out of meat procurement. To date, 98 percent of the medical center’s meat is antibiotic-free. Hackensack University Medical Center is also recognized for providing healthy meal options for patients and team members through a farmer’s market in the cafeteria.
“The environment is closely linked to our health and well-being,” said Deirdre Imus, founder and president of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center. “Hackensack University Medical Center understands the impact hospitals have on the environment and is committed to reducing waste and promoting health through unique partnerships and initiatives. The medical center has made incredible progress in the last year implementing sustainable green initiatives, including improving the food served to patients and team members by purchasing 98 percent antibiotic-free meat, adding to our rooftop honey bees, and producing great-tasting local honey.”
The hospital is home to The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center(R), one of the first hospital-based programs whose specific mission is to identify, control and ultimately prevent toxic exposures in the environment that threaten our children’s health. Beginning with the Greening The Cleaning program in 2001, the center has helped the hospital implement and expand its sustainable practices, benefiting patients, team members and the wider community.
Hackensack University Medical Center is part of the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge and committed to a 20 percent energy reduction. Hackensack University Medical Center also hosted students from Montclair State University’s PSE&G Institute for Sustainability Studies to help them develop tools for encouraging sustainability initiatives in the workplace. In addition, through various initiatives, the medical center has decreased regulated medical waste by more than 60 percent from 2012 through 2015, and now offers a campus-wide Sustainability Certificate program, encouraging team members from all departments to get involved.
Hackensack University Medical Center continues its ongoing collaboration with Public Service Energy & Gas (PSE&G) through the PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program. The medical center has saved more than $370,000 through the installation of three 1,500 T energy-efficient chillers, lighting upgrades including thousands of occupancy sensors, LED lighting in the parking garages, and plant upgrades that increase efficiency throughout the expansive campus. PSE&G recently worked with the medical center to install eight electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. In total, Hackensack University Medical Center has 24 parking spaces available for EVs to encourage the use of the environmentally-friendly vehicles.
To compile its nationwide list, Becker’s Hospital Review considers nominations and conducts editorial research, looking at awards won from Practice Greenhealth, the US Green Building Council, the American Society for Healthcare Engineering and the Environmental Protection Agency. Hackensack University Medical Center was the only hospital in the New Jersey/New York area to win the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award four years in a row. In addition, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association awarded Hackensack University Medical Center with its 2017 Award for Excellence in the Environmental Quality category.
About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 775-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of one of the largest networks in the state comprised of 28,000 team members and more than 6,000 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017-18 Best Hospital rankings – maintaining its place atop the NJ rankings since the rating system was introduced. It was also named one of the top four New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2017. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 23 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to The Northern Trust PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital.